NASA’s Parker Solar Probe is the fastest and closest spacecraft to the Sun ever flown. On December 14, 2021, it became the first spacecraft to “touch” the Sun, flying through the Sun’s upper atmosphere, or corona.

The Parker Solar Probe is on a mission to revolutionize our understanding of the Sun and its impact on the solar system. It is studying the Sun up close and personal, braving extreme heat and radiation to answer some of the most fundamental questions about our star.

Why is the Parker Solar Probe important?

The Sun is the heart of our solar system, and its activity has a profound impact on Earth. Solar storms can disrupt power grids and communications, and even damage satellites. The Parker Solar Probe is helping scientists to better understand the Sun’s behavior and to develop better ways to predict and mitigate solar storms.

In addition, the Parker Solar Probe is providing new insights into the fundamental physics of the Sun. For example, scientists are still trying to understand how the corona is heated to temperatures that are much higher than the Sun’s surface. The Parker Solar Probe is helping to answer this question by taking direct measurements of the corona’s plasma and magnetic fields.

How does the Parker Solar Probe work?

The Parker Solar Probe uses a combination of gravity assists from Venus and Venus to gradually spiral closer to the Sun. During its closest passes, the spacecraft will travel at speeds of up to 430,000 miles per hour (700,000 kilometers per hour), making it the fastest spacecraft ever built.

To protect itself from the Sun’s intense heat and radiation, the Parker Solar Probe is equipped with a thick carbon-composite heat shield. The heat shield is able to withstand temperatures of up to 2,500 degrees Fahrenheit (1,377 degrees Celsius).

The Parker Solar Probe carries a suite of four scientific instruments that are designed to study the Sun’s plasma, magnetic fields, and particles. These instruments are providing scientists with a wealth of new data about the Sun’s inner workings.

What has the Parker Solar Probe discovered so far?

In its short time in space, the Parker Solar Probe has already made a number of important discoveries. For example, the spacecraft has found that the Sun’s corona is much more dynamic than previously thought. It has also observed new types of solar waves and particles.

One of the most exciting discoveries made by the Parker Solar Probe is that it can fly through the Sun’s atmosphere without being destroyed. This means that the spacecraft can be used to study the Sun’s corona up close, something that has never been possible before.

The future of the Parker Solar Probe

The Parker Solar Probe is scheduled to continue its mission until at least 2025. During that time, it will continue to spiral closer to the Sun and make even more groundbreaking discoveries.

The Parker Solar Probe is a truly remarkable spacecraft. It is pushing the boundaries of what is possible and helping us to better understand the Sun, our closest star.

©️ Rocky Mountain Dispatch 2023